Really? $7.3 million in “popcorn lung” case?

Well, it certainly takes my breath away! A man was awarded $7.3 million for being unable to manage his addiction to popcorn. Not that I don’t enjoy popcorn but, come on, folks — 10,000 bags of microwave popcorn in a decade? Over a lifetime, maybe, along with some good TV and/or movies.

Our men and women arrive home from military service sans arms, legs, lungs and even worse. They are awarded — what, you say? A jury — 12 able-bodied (-minded?) men and women — failed to see the distinction?

Kathryn Marie Keator, Centennial

This letter was published in the Sept. 24 edition.

For information on how to send a letter to the editor, click here. Follow DPLetters on Twitter to receive updates about new letters to the editor when they’re posted.

Here’s a thought for all them NYC soda-addicts who can no longer get their 32 and 44 ounce “fixes” that lead them to become obese: Sue those who dispensed the high-calorie sugary drinks in over-sized containers……and sue the Government of NYC for for not doing the Government’s JOB of “protecting them from themselves” a Whole Lot Sooner.

Anonymous

I really need to find a foodstuff to start huffing. In really sick of working. 😛

thor

Another situation to show how juries try to punish corporations and end up punishing consumers. The 7.3 million will be passed on to the consumers buying micro-wave popcorn. Thanks, trial lawyers and all the money they give to the Democrat Party in order to ensure that we won’t see tort reform.

Anonymous

So, thor, “if” a company knowingly harms people, another company, or the environment — knowingly causes harm — how do we get them to change their ways?
You can’t jail a corporation.
Money is the only leverage we have.
But, if we shouldn’t assess damages, what do we do?
PS: It’s the Democratic Party, not the Democrat Party.

thor

What part of tort “reform” don’t you get. And do you really believe that the corporation is hurt if they can pass along the costs? Now, if a corporation is purposely doing harm, there should be a way to deal with it. But is a civil case whereby the person bringing the suit bears no costs because the system allows the law firm to absorb the costs since they are sure they will win the best way.

Anonymous

“Now, if a corporation is purposely doing harm, there should be a way to deal with it.” thor’s solution: PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY!

Anonymous

Are you reading something we aren’t? Isn’t this about someone who ate 10,000 bags of microwave popcorn over the course of a decade. How is a corporation purposely doing harm? You aren’t making any sense TH.

Anonymous

Pete I don’t know how you can hold a company accountable if some guy huffs 10,000 bags of their popcorn. It’s like suing a hairspray company because you fried your brain sniff their product. Common sense says doing both things is a bad idea.

Anonymous

Why they have to put labels on hair dryers “do not use in shower.” Will the popcorn industry not have to put labels on that say “consuming 3 bags of microwaveable popcorn a day ‘could’ be hazardous to your health. . please see the term . . ‘moderation’ “

Anonymous

Pete, it is your attitude that give us the inane warning labels we see today, you know, like the ones that tell you not to tap dance on the top of a metal ladder during a thunderstorm. Three bags of microwave popcorn per day for 10 years and you think we need to get corporations to change their ways?????? Come on, Pete, there is something called common sense and personal responsibility.

Anonymous

NONSENSE! If good get run over by recklessly driven marxist, socialist, Obama campaign truck, he’s just going to turn the other cheek, and accept it as “common sense” and accept the “personal responsibility” of paying for his own medical care, his lost wages, and just . . roll with it.

Anonymous

Nonsense. To make this equivalent, If someone jumps in front of a truck should the truck owner pay for his medical care, lost wages ,etc. Is that what your common sense and personal responsibility tell you to do?

Anonymous

SEE!!!!! (see my post above)

Anonymous

Does the word “moderation” ever enter this person’s vocabulary? This is where the righties get their panties all in a twist, when some stupid torte court pays some guy who doesn’t understand the word moderation, or has some natural susceptabily to this chemical, and can’t figure out when he’s hurting himself. This is proof you can’t save people from themselves.

thor

That’s true. And you shouldn’t pay them for it, either.

Anonymous

In 2004, a jury awarded 32-year-old a worker at the Gilster-Mary Lee plant in Jasper, Mo., $20 million for lung damage he sustained during the manufacturing process of buttered popcorn. At the time, 29 other workers had cases pending.

Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.